This may have already been touched on in the past but...
While driving tonight I got to thinking about how (with my seatbelt on) it would be hard (near impossible) to clear my holser. I wear a CrossBreed SuperTuck IWB at 3:30-4 strong side. When I am not wearing my holster, the gun usually rides tucked between my seat and the console. What do you do with your weapon while in the car/truck?

JohnKSa

January 10, 2009, 05:01 AM

Whatever you do with it, make sure it is securely in place. You don't want it getting dislodged during a wreck and either turning into a projectile or getting lost somewhere in the car. IIRC, two of the FBI officers in the Miami shootout lost their guns by removing them from their holsters and placing them on the seats. The guns were thrown off the seats during the car stop and lost in the vehicles.

PhoenixConflagration

January 10, 2009, 10:14 AM

I'm fortunate that the center console in my car has a compartment that's just the right size for my gun. It wedges in at an angle that holds it in place and lets me put my hand on it for a proper draw. Flipping up the lid takes no longer that pulling up a shirt.

trublu

January 10, 2009, 10:36 AM

Leave your carry weapon where it is (IWB) and have another weapon mounted securely somewhere in the vehicle (if legal).

Alter method of carry if you are spending a lot of time driving.

Live with it..When in the driver's seat, the car is probably a better weapon than a pistol anyhow. Perhaps some discrete practice drawing (an unloaded weapon) while sitting in the drivers seat might be worthwhile.

troy_mclure

January 10, 2009, 12:08 PM

ive got a holster in the crack of the seats beside me zip tied to the seat belt.

Win62a

January 10, 2009, 01:33 PM

The best place remains on your body somewhere in a good holster. It is entirely possible to draw from an IWB holster while seated.

I recommend Clint Smith's recently introduced "Defensive Thinking" DVD. In it there's a short section on vehicle defense and he demonstrates how to get the seat belt out of the way and how to draw from an IWB.

He also uses a key phrase, "Death before dismount." Stay in the car and drive away if at all possible.

TheNatureBoy

January 10, 2009, 02:06 PM

If I'm riding alone I place it in the front passerger seat. If family is with me its between me and the driver side door.

Tucker 1371

January 10, 2009, 02:12 PM

I was reading a similar thread and someone suggested a thigh holster, seems like that would be easier to get to while you were driving. Not sure if it would be a good choice unless you live in an open carry state.

Dwight55

January 10, 2009, 02:51 PM

If you are driving a vehicle, . . . you already are in command of a far more serious weapon than anything you may have on the seat, in a holster, or in the dash or console. Concentrate on driving, . . . while you are driving.

"Wearing" your weapon in a holster or pocket is tactically far superior to a console, the glove compartment or any other location off your body in the vehicle. Should you have to stop or exit in a hurry, . . . your weapon goes with you without all the, . . . golleeee geeee, . . . now where did I put my gun???

Laying it on the seat next to you is asking for an accident, . . . in some states it is asking for a prison term if the wrong person sees it. Weapons not secured before a sudden stop, hard turn, or accident, . . . become missles when one of these come up, . . . and depending on the type of firearm, . . . could possibly discharge, . . . seriously complicating an otherwise difficult situation.

Bottom line, . . . put it in THE holster that is most comfortable for you, . . . practice extracting it, . . . and remember, . . . there is virtually NO TIME you will ever be able to satisfactorily explain to a jury that you were defending your life, . . . firing your weapon and driving at the same time.

May God bless,
Dwight

tony pasley

January 11, 2009, 07:44 PM

I carry crossdraw when I am going to be driving a lot. Winter time shoulder holster are good. Fobus makes a vechile mount holster system that I know that some people use with sucess for them.

JN01

January 11, 2009, 08:29 PM

I carry IWB-appendix. Put on the seat belt then pull the cover garment over the seat belt. Gun is easily accessible.

Michael Bane

January 11, 2009, 08:34 PM

Two things pop to mind...I like dedicated driving holsters, such as the Ted Blocker crossdraw I use with my regular carry Para. When we take Alf the Wonder Beagle for a hike, I use one of the ridiculous Bond Derringers .45/.410s (with .410 5-round buckshot) in a horizontal crossdraw, which is perfect for driving.

Alternately, the SafePacker system works perfectly when hooked over the strong-side seatbelt hook-up.

Michael B

Sigma 40 Blaster

January 11, 2009, 08:51 PM

I carry in a IWB at about 3:00, it rides fairly high and has a 15 degree cant. All I do is pull my shirt up slightly and I have full access.

Before I got that holster I would either put it in a console or under my left leg...depending on where I was.

armedandsafe

January 11, 2009, 09:02 PM

Because I carry at 7:30, this is not a problem for me. I have talked to a number of people who go for the off-hip-bone cross draw and like it. The problem they complain about is repositioning the holster when they exit the vehicle.

Pops

scorpion_tyr

January 11, 2009, 09:19 PM

While driving my handgun stays in the center console. If my SA suddenly goes red alert, if I find myself in a bad part of town, or if someone decides to be overly aggressive on the interstate the handgun then goes right under my right leg.

KyJim

January 11, 2009, 09:52 PM

I cold weather, I often wear a leather jacket which has an inside vest pocket that zips vertically. It's like it's made for a medium sized pistol. Other times, I just try to slide my belt holster as far forward as possible. It's usually accessible with a little effort.

I would also think a shoulder holster would be a good solution when driving if there is a cover garment.

hillbillyshooter

January 12, 2009, 12:40 AM

Thanks for the posts, since I posed the question, I have found myself keeping it holstered. I have practiced releasing the seatbelt with my thumbs and drawing as a single motion. Not the quickest but still effective. I will probably get a holster like an Uncle Mikes and put velcro on it on the side of the console facing the driver seat and leave it there between the seat and the console while I am driving long distances.

Swampghost

January 12, 2009, 01:07 AM

My truck has side compartments in the door. Works fine with a few adjustments.

Gazpacho

January 12, 2009, 03:08 AM

I currently carry 2 J-frames in Galco SOB holsters, but in a 4:30 and 7:30 position, centered on those corresponding belt loops. I slide them rearward for concealability and standing draw, and I slide them forward for a comfortable car seated position. Works extremely well with a high comfort factor.

Another carry method that works well in a car is the ever hated fanny pack. It places the gun in a great draw posision, and it exits the car with you if need be.

Stevie-Ray

January 12, 2009, 04:28 PM

For the most part, mine remains in the 3 o'clock position OWB and it's not much of a problem to get to. If I'm driving for long periods of time, it's switched to a cross-draw 10 o'clock position. Or in the fanny pack in front if on vacation and driving.

Erik

January 12, 2009, 08:47 PM

What do I do? I leave it in the holster.

Larry Spencer

January 12, 2009, 09:25 PM

I live in KY.

S&W 642 (in a Desantis) in right front pocket all day ---and a .45 or 9mm Glock (unholstered) in glove box on dashboard.

RainbowBob

January 12, 2009, 09:34 PM

I carry a j-frame in a pocket holster in my front pants pocket. When driving, I transfer it to my inside (left breast) jacket pocket.

Don P

January 12, 2009, 09:40 PM

Fanny pak at 11 oclock for a fast cross draw.

4thPointofContact

January 12, 2009, 10:32 PM

The seats on my car are a little too form-fitting to comfortably sit in while carrying. As my daily-carry is a Glock 23, I took one of the old Glock belt-slide holsters and affixed it to the offside of the transmission tunnel. It is out of the way but quite handy and the holes will be easily camouflaged when the car is sold a decade from now.

Mannlicher

January 13, 2009, 10:16 AM

I carry a hand gun in a cross draw holster. It is not visible from the outside of the truck, but I can get to it very quickly with my shooting hand.

csmsss

January 13, 2009, 10:20 AM

I keep a .38 snubby in the glove compartment of both my and my wife's vehicles. Don't have to worry about *where* my carry piece is kept that way.

....but I carry my 1911 USGI in its D.M. Bullard Bodyguard Combat Holster worn at the 3:30 position all day - driving, walking doesn't matter as it "fits" me well and the seat of my King Ranch seems to offer the necessary room so driving is comfortable - even on long trips.

Milspec

January 14, 2009, 04:25 AM

I usually carry IWB crossdraw or a Kel-tec in a pocket holster inside my jacket. Wife's thinking about getting a SmartCarry for her Para .45 PDA. They're supposed to be easy to draw from while sitting. Curious how well they work... :)

Milspec

B.N.Real

January 14, 2009, 06:25 AM

Never lay your handgun on your car seat if the car is moving.

A sudden stop and it is in the floorboard where you cannot get to it.

Even a glovebox beats the seat because at least you have one place to go to get the handgun.

The gun realistically should be on you if legal in a holster.

A car jacker or other idiot depends on seeing into your car to tell if you are unarmed.

Amendtwo

January 14, 2009, 04:31 PM

When the weather is warm, my main CCW is in a fanny pack while driving. When a jacket can be worn, a KT P32 is usually in the left inside pocket, while my S&W 642 is in a OWB holster at 4:00.

JBriggs

January 14, 2009, 04:44 PM

I keep mine tucked between the seats of my crown vic, but as some of the other members state, be careful because if you get in wreck the pistol may come loose. There is a company out of Texas that makes a floor mounted holster for around 100 bucks or so. Such allows you to position your weapon where you want, but not have to worry about it coming loose in an accident. I will try to find the name of the company. My good buddy has one of them and it is absolutely great.

Creature

January 14, 2009, 04:46 PM

csmsss wrote: I keep a .38 snubby in the glove compartment of both my and my wife's vehicles. Don't have to worry about *where* my carry piece is kept that way.

What if you are outside of your vehicle when you all of a sudden REALLY need your snubby?

What if someone breaks in to your vehicle/s?

What if, God forbid, you or your wife's cars are involved in wreck...I have seen many automobile accidents where the contents of the glove box was emptied during the wreck and everything ended up strewn across the road...what then?

SMiller

January 15, 2009, 07:08 PM

I leave mine on my hip in my holster, the seat belt is not in it's way and I can still pull it out of the holster, no big deal. I still practice pulling it all the time if no ones around and im bored.

KnightZero

January 16, 2009, 12:18 AM

I rarely have a problem with my IWB or my OWB leather holster. The IWB would be a bit uncomfortable to draw from, but still doable. If I'm carrying my Fobus, I've got to pull the whole mess off my belt and put it inside the center console, otherwise I'm too wide for the seat. I need to lay off the snacks.:o

I prefer having it in the center console, but if I end up in a bad spot, or have to get out of my car for any reason, I would hate to be separated from my carry weapon due to forgetfulness. Might be time to invest in a "Car gun." What? Its a valid excuse!

Dresden2001

January 17, 2009, 12:09 PM

Massad Ayoob in his most recent book on concealed carry suggests that the best place to conceal or carry your weapon in a car is on your hip where you usually keep it. He advocates a technique where you put on your seat belt, then pull your coat or other concealing clothing outside the belt, so that you have essentially freed your weapon. I carried a gun in a vehicle every day for nearly thirty years and always had it in my holster, so I guess I would agree with Mr. Ayoob's advice.

I have had to draw from a sitting position in the vehicle, both as a passenger and driver and the only time I recall that it was difficult, was when the car was equipped with bench seats (how long ago was that?) and my holster was forced sideways under my butt.

I would not want to have a gun in the console, or between the seats or other places where I could not reach it in all instances, or it could become a projectile in case of accident or violent manuevers.

FireForged

January 17, 2009, 01:07 PM

Decisions having to do with firearms can easily be over intelectualized.. You can "what-if" yourself into a corner. What load, projectile, what cal, what barrel, iwb, owb, and on and on and on. You can not plan for every remotely possible situation, so dont. What you will end up with is a plan that only 10% effective in a given situation. I put in place a plan for what is likely and mentally consider the odd-ball. That way I can very deal with 90% of the situations in a effective manner and hope not to be caught off-guard on the odd ball. I keep it simple and wear a standard pancake holster and thats it. I shift it a little more forward on my belt when in a car and push it back on the hip when not in the car. I find it easier to train for one style of draw(strong side hip), and train myself to do that while sitting or standing/walking or down on one knee.

gclefton

January 20, 2009, 03:21 PM

My SafePacker works very reliably when velcroed over the seatbelt.

http://store.thewilderness.com/images/safe_seat2.jpg

Creature

January 20, 2009, 03:48 PM

Decisions having to do with firearms can easily be over intelectualized..

You can not plan for every remotely possible situation, so dont.

Prudent forethought on where to keep your weapon while driving is hardly "over intellectualizing"...and since having to drive occurs more than just occasionally in the majority of the TFL member's lives, I would hardly call this a "remotely possible situation".

hillbillyshooter

January 21, 2009, 01:35 AM

There are no "what ifs." I drive every day. I realized that as I carry, IWB strong side, my seat belt covers my weapon. I feel that being able to access my weapon as neccessary a concern as being proficient at shooting from a knee. To me this falls in my 90%. I was simply trying to illicit helpful suggestions for solving this problem and have received useful ideas.

rosssmith

January 21, 2009, 08:37 AM

Self defense is indeed a major area of concern today. I believe its never too late to familiarize yourself with the latest techniques and equipments. There are numerous resources out there I found defendingusa.com particularly useful.

No change as to any thing, drawing and firing whilst sitting in said Jeep sounds like a poor idea to me! I prepare for it, but the most kinetic energy I am in control of is being propelled by a V8!

Lets face it, if the vehicle is stopped, and you are sat in it, window open? Framed target is what you are.

Tires don't fail me now!

hillbillyshooter

January 24, 2009, 01:38 PM

Agreed Brit,
I agree that if it is possible for the vehicle to be moving then there should be little to no reason to have to access my weapon. The only reason I posed this is if I am stuck in traffic, and am presented with a road raging individual or car jacker (less likely in WV). The road rage is the one that I am thinking about b/c here, myself as well of friends of mine have come across people very angry on the road. Really more just for peace of mind that I know my weapon is more easily in my hand. Thanks for the feedback though.

Brit

January 25, 2009, 04:53 AM

hillbilly.

I agree with you, had occasion to produce, and point a BHP at a person who when asked for the best way to the south bound I 75 (In Detroit, I was under it, not on it!) he grabbed the passenger window, I had opened it 4" to ask the question, and tried to push it down more, looking me right in the eye as he inserted his other hand, heading for the door catch.

The BHP was under my right thigh, then thought to be best idea in a city by yours truly? Hand was on it, came up fast, he departed by falling over the bag he had on the side walk with him!

My only concern, The BANG! Should not have been really, but it was, I remember being not worried at the time, till 5 minutes later, right leg jumping so bad I had to drive with left foot, till a rest area, found the on ramp kind of quickly once I left my new friend!

Mil Spec hard ball, would not have been stopped by the target presented. And I would have had the case! A major Dilemma would have then surfaced, as it was, no Dilemma. This was B/4 the days of GPS.

VHinch

January 25, 2009, 09:52 AM

My primary carry is a full size 1911 IWB at 4:00, but I always have a Smith 637 on my ankle. The Smith is very accessible when seated, and would be my first option if I needed to draw while in the vehicle.

Stevie-Ray

January 25, 2009, 11:18 PM

when asked for the best way to the south bound I 75 (In Detroit, I was under it, not on it!)Whoa, if you are under I-75 anywhere in Detroit, you are in a decidedly bad neighborhood.

Brit

January 27, 2009, 02:15 AM

The new Cadillac's parked outside houses with broken windows, and curtains blowing out of them was what I should have noticed! What you might call a clue?

Not sure how I got turned around! But it might have been my own little angel that got me out of there! That was at least 15 years ago, I doubt it has improved much?

Ricklin

January 27, 2009, 09:22 AM

If you keep a concealed weapon in the car.

Not everyone who may have occasion to use your car has a CHL. Could be a major issue for them, at least that is the case here in Oregon.

In fact my friendly county sheriff (really) reminds us of that fact with the letter you get from him along with your CHL.

bill 13

January 27, 2009, 09:39 AM

I wear a comptac pro unde cover with a kimber CDP 45 compact at 4:00 while driving.I also keep BHP in the center console, full time.

IN Texas ,we have moterist protection act so anyone leagally able to own to
a firearm can carry concealed in their vehichle. :D